Company Resolves Shoreland Timber Harvesting Violations with Maine Forest Service

July 8, 2022

For more information contact: Terri Coolong at: terri.r.coolong@maine.gov

AUGUSTA - The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Forest Service (MFS) has entered into administrative settlement agreements with Harrington-based Worcester Holdings, LLC (Worcester) and Paul Gaddis, a licensed forester from East Machias. The settlements resolve violations of Maines rules governing timber harvesting activities in shoreland areas. Worcester agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty for the violations. Gaddis agreed to pay a $2,500 civil penalty for the violations.

During an April 2021 timber harvest on land in Jonesboro, Worcester and Gaddis failed to obtain a permit for a stream crossing on a land management road they were constructing. In addition, Worcesters and Gaddis activities caused sediment to be discharged into a stream, in violation of state shoreland regulations.

"Our goal is to improve the management of Maines forests," said Patty Cormier, MFS Director. We focus on educating and informing landowners to reduce the possibility of such violations. When violations do occur, however, we have a responsibility to uphold the law. We take this and our other responsibilities very seriously.

Worcester and Gaddis were cooperative and took full responsibility for the violations, commented Terri Coolong, MFS Regional Enforcement Coordinator. Had Worcester and Gaddis appropriately planned and implemented the harvest and stream crossing to comply with the regulations, the issues could easily have been avoided.

Coolong conducted the investigation and settlement negotiations with the assistance of MFS staff.

About MFS

Since 1891, the MFS mission is to protect and enhance forest resources through fire prevention, technical assistance, education, and outreach to a wide variety of audiences and enforcement of forest protection laws. MFS offices are found throughout Maine and provide its citizens with a wide range of forest-related services. For more information about the MFS and its programs, visit the MFS website at maineforestservice.gov.